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LET THE FIREWORKS BEGIN!

LET THE FIREWORKS BEGIN!

LET THE FIREWORKS BEGIN!

 

There’s nothing like bobbing on the water under a summer night sky with the pop and fizzle, splendor and sparkle of fireworks all around you. At this year’s Honda Celebration of Light you’ll be in good company with up to 500 vessels of all types and sizes joining in the fun. With that much camaraderie and congestion, Vancouver Police Department (VPD) Marine Unit’s Constable Janet Stringer says that a little planning goes a long way to making sure you, your friends and family are safe.

“The main thing is personal safety,” says Stringer. “We ask everyone – whether on a paddleboard or a yacht – to be prepared before they leave the shore – to have all the proper safety equipment, including a flashlight. Many people think that the flashlight on their phone is good enough, but it’s not watertight, and won’t do you any good if it falls in the water!

“The risk of collision is huge so it’s critical that people are prepared with lights and PFDs. We’ve had collisions between a canoe and false creek ferryboat, and a kayak and a huge charter vessel. Everyone has to be aware of what captains of other vessels can – and can’t – see.

“We’ll have a crew of people at the Vanier boat ramp, and will ask every single person responsible for a boat to show us every piece of equipment, and their license, before they can go in the water.”

Play it Safe. Make sure you have all the safety equipment required by Transport Canada, in good working order.

PFDs for Everyone. Make sure everyone has a lifejacket or PFD – and if you are in a human-powered vessel, wear it!

Lights On. Ensure all your navigation lights are in working order: masthead, stern, red port/green starboard. Know the “Rules of the Road”. Navigating in a crowded, smoky area can be as dangerous as boating in stormy weather, or in fog. Also, display an anchor light while anchored around the fireworks barge.

Watch Your Weight. Check your vessel’s weight capacity, and don’t overload the boat with passengers.

Slow Down. Honour the 5-knot speed restriction, and go even slower in and around vessels at anchor.

Be Aware of Navigational Hazards. Plan your course and check your charts.

Zone Out. Stay outside the buoy-marked Exclusion Zone. Think about the conditions (wind, weather and tides) to determine what your boat will do when anchored. The fireworks won’t begin unless the zone is clear.

Stay Sober. No drinking for the skipper. Drinking on a boat is considered drinking in public, and it’s only legal to serve alcohol if you have kitchen, sleeping and bathroom facilities, and are anchored. When you leave your boat, the VPD traffic section will be on the road to check people are not driving impaired.

Be Patient. Heading back to shore can take some time so be courteous and careful. Stay to the right, in narrow channels.

Take Your Garbage Home. Be mindful of the environment and public spaces.

Enjoy the show!

 

Did you know?

  • The Vancouver Police have patrolled the waters off Vancouver, including the Fraser River, since 1911.
  • Vancouver has more than 100 miles of shoreline
  • The VPD works in collaboration with a number of other agencies, at boat ramps and on the water, to ensure people’s safety before, during and after the fireworks. This includes police agencies from communities like New Westminster, Steveston and Coquitlam; the Coast Guard and Port of Vancouver, the Vancouver Fireboat and Volunteer Search and Rescue; Paramedics and Transport Canada 
  • All boat operators must have a Proof of Pleasure Craft Operators Proficiency
  • The Honda Celebration of Light is BCs largest public event, and the longest-running offshore fireworks competition in the world.